If you’re a fan of the Nolan adaptations of the Batman franchise, then you will love Batman: Under the Red Hood!

Under the Red Hood was a 2010 animated release, by Warner. The film’s plot is a simple but thrilling one. For anyone who isn’t a comic book fanatic, the Red Hood character was an identity that the Joker once went by. But now that the Joker is “locked up”, who can it be? And so begins the plot.

This feature length animation really does get back to Batman’s roots. So you have to appreciate that, back in the day, Batman was known for being the world’s greatest detective. In the early comic issues Batman’s top gadget was a magnifying glass! And of late, the fact that Batman was, or is a detective hasn’t been highlighted enough. But in this movie we see Batman or (spoiler alert!) Bruce Wayne actually do some detective work. Well he has to if he’s wants to figure out who’s under the Hood.

The film will sometimes play off past comic plots, especially when it comes to a death of a character at the start of the flick! And that’s why I said if you like Nolan’s Batman then you will love this. Because it isn’t marketed for kids. Batman doesn’t wear a nice baby blue themed cape nor any grapple guns that make him glide half way across Gotham. No, this is real down and gritty stuff. With dark colouring, dark tones and mature voice acting. It’s pleasing.

The film also goes into detail on the characters relationship with each other. That’s ambitious, certainly from an animation. It’s like a breath of fresh air. But that’s what gives the characters real life, we actually feel like these people are real. Plus those relationships will play a key part in the films plots. You really do feel like you’re in a Gotham city thanks to great dialogue, especially when villains talk about how disruptive Batman’s actions are to them.

Buying this DVD you are in for a treat. As you just don’t get Batman, you get Robin, Red Hood, The Joker, Black Mask, Nightwing and even... Ra’s Al Ghul. Such variation! A good thing about animation is the fact that they haven’t got to restrict and budget the action scenes to save money. Here animators can simply draw away, and it shows because every other scene there is action! Very exciting.

The only downside to this film is that it tries to have the best of both worlds. And what I mean by that is that they try to create a realistic film. With real life extreme situations and responses. But every now and then they decide to add in situations that just couldn’t happen in real life. Not only is that slightly disappointing but after watching it all you feel that all the time you invested was a bit of a letdown and for nothing. It withdraws you from the story slightly But that nitpick only depends on what kind of person you are. If you’re casual enough to let it go, then it won’t disrupt your viewing experience too much.

And finally the Joker. You just feel that the writers tried to go in too much of a new direction with him. He doesn’t act or sound like anything we have seen before. Although why would it? It’s a new film and a new take on everything. But you feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with all the other characters; you just don’t get that with the Joker. He just doesn’t seem true to the comics, he seems too much of a normal Gotham criminal. (Even though he does something brutal at the start of the movie!).

Overall you should defiantly get this film! An enjoyable animation for both new and loyal fans to the Bat. A great dark toned animation where you don’t feel like a child for enjoying or watching it! Brilliant.